out and about: perthshire
Article last updated: November 2022
Photo: Meg Pier, Unsplash
Sir Walter Scott called Perthshire ‘the fairest portion of the northern kingdom’, and we think you’ll see why. Mountains, lochs, rivers, waterfalls - and of course, the forests that have given Perthshire the nickname of ‘Big Tree Country’. Whatever your level of ability, you’re bound to find something to suit you.
walking
Overlooking Pitlochry is Ben Vrackie, known as a Corbett (that’s a mountain between 2,500 and 3,000 feet). A good path takes you all the way to the summit with one steep section towards the top. It’s popular with walkers of varying abilities. On a good day, there are stunning views across Pitlochry, Beinn a’ Ghlo, and the Cairngorms beyond. If you fancy a longer walk, the signposted Bealach path takes you around to Killiecrankie and back to Pitlochry along the River Garry. The start is just a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
There are trails to the Black Spout Waterfall, Edradour Distillery, and the village of Moulin in the Black Spout Woods. You can then circle around the top of the town and walk down to the centre.
The Loch Faskally and Faskally Woods are signposted from the centre of Pitlochry. Take a stroll around the peaceful loch and maybe even hire a boat or a paddleboard. The water is beautiful to swim in (albeit a wee bit chilly!).
If Ben Vrackie seems a bit much, another option is Craigower. This is a smaller hill, with views just as stunning. You pick up the path from the golf course at the far end of town.
The nearest Munro (a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet) is Schiehallion, also known as ‘The Fairy Hill’. It has an important place in mountaineering history - this is where contour lines were invented! There is a good path until the final section to the summit; this is rocky and pathless. It is 15 miles from Pitlochry.
If you fancy some more Munro-bagging, the Ben Lawers circuit has good paths all the way and excellent views. Depending on your route you will climb two or three Munros. It is 22 miles from Pitlochry. You can also take the A9 further north into the Cairngorms National Park, home to many of Scotland’s highest hills.
Perthshire is famous for its forest walks. Pitlochry is surrounded by Tay Forest Park. Particular beauty spots include the Hermitage and Black Linn Waterfall, the Queen’s View and Loch Tummel, the Birks of Aberfeldy and Killiecrankie. There are miles and miles of paths to wander - you won’t run out of places to explore.
If you’d like more route information and help planning your walks, we recommend Walk Highlands as the best place to start.
cycling
Pitlochry is on National Cycling Route 7. This connects Pitlochry and Aberfeldy, before running north through the Cairngorms. One especially beautiful section runs south of Pitlochry, down the side of Loch Tay. Another route for confident cyclists is the Pitlochry-Loch Tummel loop, which takes you on a circuit around Loch Tummel - and takes in what was supposedly Queen Victoria’s favourite view in Scotland.
For mountain bikers the choices are endless. Pitlochry is surrounded by forest trails, some suitable for beginners and some much more adventurous! For expert advice, along with a trail map, we recommend visiting the Escape Route cafe just down the road from us, they can suggest the perfect trail for you.
If you’d like more information on the national cycling network, please visit Sustrans.
water sports
Based on Loch Faskally, Pitlochry Boating Station offers rowing boat, kayak, pedalo, and paddleboard hire. However, we’d also recommend venturing a little further afield - Loch Tay is famed for its beauty. The historical village of Kenmore is home to Loch Tay Boating Centre, which has canoes and motorboats available for hire.
If you’re new to water sports (or would like a guide to show you the best spots) Beyond Adventure in Aberfeldy offer half-day and full-day tours paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking. They also offer courses if you’d like to brush up on your skills.
Wild swimming is also popular in the area: Loch Tay, Linn of Tummel and Soldier’s Leap in Killiecrankie are all popular - just make sure you know the risks before you go!
towns & villages
Pitlochry is home to a number of attractions including the dam and fish ladder, Festival Theatre and Blair Atholl Distillery. All are walkable from the hotel.
Blair Atholl is home to Blair Castle. It has extensive collections and a long history dating back to the 13th century - it was once a key Jacobite stronghold. Nearby is the Atholl Country Life Museum. The castle restaurant lacks vegan options, but the Watermill Cafe in Blair Atholl is worth a try - they are a working watermill and grind their own flour.
On the way to Aberfeldy, you’ll drive through Grandtully and pass The Highland Chocolatier. Iain Burnett has won over 45 international awards and has the world’s best truffles - and there are vegan options! In Aberfeldy you’ll find Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. ‘The Birks of Aberfeldy’ is a well-known poem by Robert Burns. You can take a short walk around the gorge to see what inspired him. The Watermill Bookshop, Gallery & Cafe has a number of vegan options.
Between Aberfeldy and Kenmore is the Highland Safari & Red Deer Centre. They offer boat trips on Loch Tay, landrover safaris, and the chance to get up close with red deer and barn owls. Kenmore is on the banks of Loch Tay, and is home to the Crannog Centre, a living history museum and recreation of an Iron Age Crannog. You may wish to make another stop between Aberfeldy and Kenmore - you’ll pass through the village of ‘Dull’ (twined with Boring, Oregon). From Kenmore, you can also drive on to visit the Fortingall Yew, one of the oldest trees in Europe.
Dunkeld and Birnam are two well-preserved historical villages, lying on opposite banks of the River Tay. You may recognise the names - they featured in Shakespeare’s play MacBeth. The Birnam Oak is the last remaining tree from the forest that ‘came to life’ in the play. Shakespeare may have been inspired by his visit to these woods in 1599. Birnam is also home to the Birnam Arts Centre, including the Beatrix Potter Garden and Exhibition - she took long summer holidays here, and Perthshire may have inspired several of her stories.
Dunkeld is home to Dunkeld Cathedral, once the ecclesiastical centre of Scotland. As the Church of Scotland does not have cathedrals it is now technically just a church - but still worth a visit!
